we must have been virtually defeated, and an impression left on the inhabitants that we had not the power to punish them for outrages committed on our commerce.

"In such a case the defeat would have been more complete, as there was no higher authority or government to which we could make our appeal, and from which we could expect indemnification. Indeed, within a short distance, there were other tribes and chiefs separate and independent of those of Quallah-Battoo.

"While making arrangements to open a communication with the chiefs, and to make a formal demand of indemnification, I felt it to be my imperative duty to take such steps at the same time as would cut off the retreat of those who had participated in the piracy of the Friendship; and while in the execution of the only feasible plan by which these objects could be effected, our divisions were fired on, and our strength put at defiance; the action was thus unavoidably commenced; and, as to its result, I need only refer you to my previous communication.

"I ascertained, after the attack, that the whole inhabitants of Quallah-Battoo were concerned in the plunder of the Friendship, and that the character of the transaction agreed substantially with that furnished by the department, marked A and B. The specie and opium had been divided between the four principal rajahs; and all the other articles taken from the ship were distributed among the people of Quallah-Battoo.

"All the intercourse I had with the natives while lying at Soosoo, confirmed me in the correctness of the course adopted; and also that the chastisement inflicted on Quallah-Battoo, though severe, was unavoidable and just; and that it will be the means of giving a permanent security to our commerce for a long time

to come.

"I am, sir, with the greatest respect,
"Your obedient servant,

(Signed)

"JOHN DOWNES.

"The Honourable Levi Woodbury, Secretary of the Navy."

can ship big gun! no have got big gun American ship." One of the rajahs, when Mr. Barry was endeavouring to convince him that the people, and the great rajah of his country, possessed large ships, loaded with nothing but guns, powder, and shot, and having hundreds of men on board, for the purpose of redressing the wrongs done to his people abroad, laughed in his face most heartily, and replied, that he had spoken a falsehood. Mr. Barry insisted that what he had stated was true; when the rajah again replied, that it could not be so. If we had ships which he could not take with his sampans and proas, "why had they never been on the coast?" The prevalence of this belief is not to be wondered at. American trade on that coast had been carried on for nearly forty years, without the shadow of protection from the arm of government; while other nations, whose trade did not amount to one tenth of our own, had sent armed vessels to look after it.

From the manner in which the Potomac was disguised, and her previous distance from the shore, the natives could not, until her firing had actually commenced, have formed the most distant idea of the tremendous effect of thirty-two pound shot, when discharged from a gun of that calibre..

The fort of Tuca de Lama was very soon deserted, while the shot was cutting it to pieces, and tearing up whole cocoa-trees around it by the roots.

In performing this service, there was a fine opportunity of observing the great proficiency the crews of the guns had made in that highly important part of their profession, loading and firing. Though the cannonade was brisk and constant for more than half an hour, not the most trifling accident occurred, and the shots were directed against De Lama's fort with great precision. When silence had been commanded, and the firing ceased, the Malays embraced the opportunity to exhibit, in conspicuous places along the shore, white flags; that colour being considered among them a signal for peace.

The commodore was pleased to see this movement on their part; and, believing that they would not very soon deny "that the Americans had big ships and large guns," directed an answering flag of white to be hoisted at the mainmast head, and the batteries to be secured.

It appears that the rajahs of Quallah-Battoo had some diffi